Mr. Minister,

In 1984, the Quebec government lifted the ban on trapping in wildlife reserves, giving in to pressure from the powerful lobby of the 21,000 trappers of the time. Since then, the number of trappers has dropped by 62%; currently, they represent only a very small 0.11% of the province’s total population.

In Quebec, the trapping of 19 animal species is authorized over more than 1,490,000 km2, or more than 98% of the Quebec territory. Each year, trappers kill more than 200,000 wild animals, not to mention the destructive capture of protected species.

This past privilege to trap in Quebec’s wildlife reserves was granted in a very different social, cultural and economic context from the one in which we live today.

Therefore, I recommend that the Government of Quebec prohibit, as it did before 1984, all trapping activities in wildlife reserves in order to fully reflect the current values of Quebecers and the many visitors towards wildlife.

Please, as Minister, be kind enough to share with me your thoughts and orientations on this important issue.

Please accept, Mr. Dufour, the expression of my best wishes.